Audio Video News

Sound & Vision Top Picks for the month of May include a high-performance 4K Blu-ray player that will delight AV enthusiasts, home theater speakers that deliver strikingly good sound for a reasonable price, and a set of powered bookshelf speakers that puts today’s smart speakers to shame. Rounding things out are two topnotch audio components — a surround processor/preamp from a venerable audio brand and an integrated amp/DAC from a lesser known company that has been favored by in-the-know audiophiles for years.

Pioneer UDP-LX500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: $1,099

Pioneer has stepped up to fill the void left by Oppo, which stopped making Blu-ray players last year. Aimed squarely at die-hard enthusiasts, the UDP-LX500 boasts first-rate HDR (high dynamic range) tone mapping for projector setups, custom presets with sliders for HDR conversion, and the ability to play hi-res music files as well as SACDs and DVD-Audio discs. All in all, it’s a versatile player built to deliver breathtaking 4K images.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
High-quality HDR to SDR conversion
SACD and DVD-Audio disc support
Detailed Info screen

Minus
No streaming apps or wireless connectivity
Somewhat tedious user interface
Occasional playback glitches

Full Review Here

 

Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F Speaker System: $2,144 (as reviewed)

Nestled in Paradigm’s impressive range of speakers is a tower-based home theater suite tailor made for enthusiasts on a budget. The SE 3000F’s style and finish may be basic, but its performance is anything but thanks to a number of well-considered features, including bi-directional surround speakers, a robust subwoofer, and apps for tweaking subwoofer performance and creating a custom EQ filter to overcome anomalies caused by room acoustics. Veteran reviewer Al Griffin summed it up this way: “At just over two grand, Paradigm's Monitor SE system offers strikingly good sound for the money.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressive performance for price
Surround speakers provide flexible installation options
Subwoofer with app control and room correction
Minus
Basic build quality and looks

Full Review Here

 

NAD M17 V2 Surround Preamp/Processor: $6,000

Audiophiles looking for exceptional flexibility and outstanding sound quality in a home theater hub will want to give the M17 V2 a long hard look. A member of NAD’s prestigious Masters series, the preamp boasts sophisticated Dirac Live room correction and accommodates Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround sound layouts with up to 7.1.4 channels. It also supports hi-res multiroom streaming via the BluOS music management platform developed by NAD sister brand Bluesound. Highly recommended by veteran reviewer Tom Norton.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Exceptional flexibility
First-rate build quality
Superb sound

Minus
Complex ergonomics
Inadequate owner's manual

Full Review Here